Doctor Who_ Remembrance of the Daleks - Ben Aaronovitch [54]
The Abomination fired again and the last renegade was obliterated.
The shuttle commander’s life support indicators were red-lining. It could feel vital systems shutting down as its power-plant ceased to function. With fading vision it looked at the Omega device – the imperial Daleks had triumphed.
Darkness closed in. With a final gurgling sigh the shuttle commander commended its database to the Empire. Then it died.
The systems co-ordinator relayed the data to the Emperor.
We have recovered the Omega device.
18
Saturday, 16:34
‘I can see again,’ said Ace as she opened her eyes. She and the Doctor were opposite Ratcliffe’s yard. Smoke obscured the interior but the firing had stopped.
‘Which blobs won?’ she asked.
Dalek shapes began to emerge from the smoke – the Doctor’s hand tensed in her own.
‘I don’t know,’ he said.
Wind began to shred the smoke. The Daleks were revealed: they were cream and gold imperial warriors. Ace felt the Doctor’s hand relax. They watched as the Daleks moved out of the yard towards them.
‘Professor,’ said Ace.
‘Oh,’ said the Doctor, and pulled her backwards. She got a quick glimpse of the sign which read ‘Beware of the Dog’
before the Doctor slammed the door shut.
One thing about the Professor, thought Ace, is that he always has a getaway route handy.
There was a growl behind them.
Most of the time, she appended.
The Alsation growled again as they turned. Its lips were pulled back from its teeth, and a tiny strand of saliva trailed from its muzzle. Brown eyes stared at the Doctor. It snarled again. Ace could see its back legs tensing, hindquarters clipping in readiness to spring.
‘Shush,’ said the Doctor.
The Alsation’s eyes grew puzzled. The tension left its body and its head drooped guiltily while its tail wagged in low, hopeful arcs.
Don’t worry about it, dog, thought Ace, he has the same effect on me.
The Alsation trotted over to the Doctor’s feet and rolled over on its back. ‘Good dog,’ said the Doctor, and bent over to rub its stomach.
The Dalek Supreme overrode the battle computer and instigated the equipment destruct program. The link with the girl was down, so the Dalek Supreme was able to think clearly for the moment. Energy reserves were dangerously depleted; combat would be unrealistic. As the last remaining Dalek of the renegade task force it was imperative that it return home to report.
The Dalek Supreme triggered the destruct sequence and left the office. Behind it the battle computer burst into flames.
Mike stood completely still. The second floor of the warehouse was dark – he could just make out rows of shelves. He knew the creepy girl was in there with him because he had heard her light footsteps come through the doorway behind him. Now he listened in the darkness, waiting for her to make her move. His palm was slick on the handle of the pistol.
Mike smelled smoke. Now what? he thought.
He heard them – a patter of footsteps over by the internal stairwell. If he could make it to the fire escape, if no Daleks were left in the yard and if the girl didn’t catch him, he might get away.
And after that?
Mike figured he would worry about that later.
‘The Imperial Daleks have got the Hand of Omega,’ said the Doctor. ‘Good.’
Ace idly scratched the Alsatian’s head. ‘Why are you so keen that the Daleks should get it anyway?’
‘Quiet, Ace,’ said the Doctor. He opened the gate.
Ace left the dog and joined the Doctor.
A figure slipped out of the yard and started to trot up the road.
‘It’s Mike,’ said Ace.
‘He’s got the time controller,’ said the Doctor. ‘Typical human, you can always count on them to mess things up.’
Thanks a lot, thought Ace.
‘Ace, get after him, see where he’s going and stay with him.’
‘Right,’ said Ace. She took off, but was momentarily restrained by the Doctor.
‘And no heroics,’ he said. ‘I have enough problems already.’
‘Trust me,’ said Ace.
The Doctor